The 41-year-old Whaley says she wants to bring back jobs that pay enough to raise a family, take on the state's opioid addiction crisis and represent those who have become invisible to politicians in Columbus.

Whaley joins former U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton and former state Rep. Connie Pillich in the Democratic primary, along with state Sen. Joe Schiavoni.

Republican Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor also is expected to run for governor, bringing a record-setting number of female candidates into the race a year after Hillary Clinton became the first female major-party presidential nominee.